Community Conversation on AI Data Centers

Data centers have recently become a huge talking point in communities all over the U.S. To help educate our community on AI data centers, PCEC is hosting a panel discussion that will explore this issue in a local and state-wide context. 

We are in the middle of a classic Montana summer (with a few extra degrees Fahrenheit added in there). There have been hot days spent hiking up in the mountains, Livingston farmers markets buzzing with activity, and evening floats on the Yellowstone. In the midst of this all, we have also been engaging with the community and environment as interns for PCEC. Early on we got to witness a public hearing on water rights, learning how to protect Park County’s future. We have also educated ourselves about the Montana Environmental Policy Act (MEPA), as well as prepared a public comment on the MEPA rewrites in order to advocate for our healthy future.

So what’s next for us?

It’s a modern world out there. Our newsfeeds are swept with stories about change and advancement, especially related to AI. The discussion around AI is connected to almost everything, and sometimes it can be hard to look at the whole picture.

Earlier this summer, spurred by news about AI data centers coming to Montana, we started looking into them and how they could affect our communities. To learn how to create a healthy future for Park County, we virtually attended several meetings about AI data centers around Montana. Our inaugural research raised a lot of questions and unknowns, which inspired us to seek out more answers. We want to invite the public to join us in better understanding this topic and what it means for us moving forward. We have decided to put together a community event where we could seek out the experts, ask them some questions, and give the community an opportunity to do the same.

Event Details

DATE: Tuesday, August 4th

TIME: 6:00PM

LOCATION: Park County Senior Center, 206 S Main Street, Livingston

With AI data centers already in place in Wyoming, and multiple proposed in Montana, there is no better time than now to become informed. AI data centers are happening, and even if they aren't in Park County yet, we are tied together with our state and our nation. It is our duty as citizens to be informed, but we don’t have to go it alone.

We invited panelists from across the state to share their knowledge surrounding the topic of data centers in intersection with youth perspectives. Panelists will include: Anne Hedges, Executive Director at Montana Environmental Information Center, Barbara Chillcott, Senior Attorney at Western Environmental Law Center, as well as our perspectives as young people looking towards our future.

We want to create a space for the community to come together and have their questions answered. This event is built to inform and encourage discussion before a data center is on the table in Park County.

The event will be a panel based discussion. We’ll start by asking our own questions and then follow with inquiries from the audience. Doors will open at 6:00 PM at the Park County Senior Center (206 South Main Street, Livingston MT). We hope to see you there!

Beep boop beep bop,

Finn Harrison & Eva Lighthiser